US Embassy called for release of Bakhtiar Hajiyev

Baku/07.02.23/Turan: The US Embassy in Azerbaijan expressed concern over the arrest of public activist Bakhtiar Hajiyev and called on the authorities to release him.

"We are very concerned about the arrest and detention of Bakhtiar Hajiyev and the reports of his health problems. We continue to call on the authorities to release him as soon as possible. We also call on the authorities to release all other persons considered political prisoners," the US Embassy said in response to a request from the Azerbaijani Voice of America service.

"The United States calls for the release of all political prisoners around the world, and we call on others to join us," the Embassy's press service said in a statement.

* Bakhtiar Hajiyev was detained on December 9 on charges of hooliganism and contempt of court. On the same day, the Khatai district court arrested him for a period of 1 month and 20 days.

On December 15, Hajiyev went on a hunger strike, demanding his release. On December 28, he stopped his hunger strike after persistent appeals from the public and family members. However, on January 9, he resumed his hunger strike after the Court of Appeal refused to release him, and he continues it to this day. On January 21, the court extended the term of Hajiyev's arrest for another 1 month.

Today he is on a hunger strike for the 30th day. -03B06-